Joseph Merceron

In 1787 Joseph Merceron, 23, of Huguenot descent and born of poor parents, was living in Brick Lane. Starting work as a clerk to a lottery office keeper he rose from clerk to permanent treasurer of all the parish funds, commissioner of the local court of requests, a member of various commissions for taxes, sewers and justice of the peace. He filled many parish offices with members of his family.

In 1804 an audit was called for and he resigned. Unable to find anyone else to take his place he was re-elected and ruled supreme despite attempts to bring him to book. He owned twenty notoriously ill conducted public houses and beer shops and allowed these to remain open until all hours. The streets were filled with the racket created by dog fighting, bullock and duck hunting all of which he encouraged.

Eventually in 1818 he was tried for fraudulent appropriation and found guilty, fined £200 pounds and sent to prison for eighteen months. On release from prison he protested his innocence and gradually regained his former positions except J.P., having repaid the money he was said to have misappropriated.

He died in 1839 aged 75. One of the memorials in St Matthew's parish church, which was destroyed in 1941, was in memory of this rogue who was 'born in the parish'.